TFLMLD 44

Chapter 44

The Man I Used to Live With

2021.02.02.

Macaron’s gaze as he looked down at Shubil was chilling. Flinching at his cold expression, Shubil instinctively stepped back.

Truthfully, Macaron hadn’t intended to come this far. Calypse’s “acquaintance” — and that acquaintance turned out to be a man. On top of that, the man’s face was one Macaron recognized from a report Momont had once given him. Macaron’s nerves were on edge, but he held back. Calypse must have had her own reasons for leaving that man be. She probably wouldn’t like it if he stepped in at such a moment.

Even while pouring his energy into steadying Coral, Macaron’s eyes were locked only on “that bastard.”

Is it really… him? But why would he be here?

The ex-husband Macaron had seen in Calypse’s memories was not the kind of man who should ever dare to seek her out again. Not if he had the slightest shred of rational thought.

“Coral. Do you know that man?”

The moment he saw Coral’s face harden, Macaron instantly knew something was wrong.

“It’s okay. You can tell Dad everything.”

Suppressing his disgust, Macaron forced a smile at Coral.

“He’s the man I used to live with.”

Even though that was the answer he expected, Macaron’s brow furrowed. Sometimes rumors get exaggerated or twisted, but if Coral herself called that man “the one I used to live with,” then his past behavior had to have been worse than any rumor could describe.

A piece of trash like him—what right does he have to show his face here…

Macaron wanted nothing more than to snap Shubil’s neck right then and there. Some might think that was too harsh, but for Calypse and Coral’s sake, killing him slowly would still not be enough punishment.

Even so, Macaron hesitated for a moment. Perhaps Calypse didn’t want him to discover all of this. And Macaron did not want even the slightest of his reckless choices to bring Calypse pain.

A bastard like that, I can eliminate anytime.

But the instant Shubil grabbed Calypse’s wrist, Macaron lost all restraint. His stride carried him right in front of her.

“Was it me you were just talking about?”

Macaron stopped just short of snapping Shubil’s wrist to pieces. A scream pierced the air as Macaron wrenched the man’s hand off her roughly. Shubil staggered back, seething.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I should be asking you the same thing.”

“……”

“To someone else’s wife.”

Still not grasping the situation, Shubil’s voice rose, more annoyed than before.

“Do you even know who I am—”

“Why would I need to know something like that?”

“How rude, to a stranger you’ve just met—”

Shubil’s voice quivered as he pulled his hand back.

A towering frame, broad shoulders, a grip strong enough to crush bone, the gleam of a deadly blade at his hip, and crimson eyes colder than ice—Shubil instinctively realized: if he acted out in front of this man, he would be reduced to dust. The sheer intimidation radiating from Macaron was more than enough to overwhelm him.

Still, Shubil clung to the belief that since this was Calypse’s new husband, he couldn’t be someone of particularly high rank. No man of real standing would marry a woman already wed once, let alone one who was only the daughter of a baron.

And yet, Macaron openly sneered at him.

“Seems you don’t even know what real rudeness is.”

Only now did Shubil really notice Macaron’s bearing. He had thought him just some handsome woman-chaser, but the aura rolling off him was anything but ordinary. Contrary to his assumption that the man must be of a lower title, Macaron felt formidable.

Could he… be the heir of a marquis household?

The long scar etched deep across his hand made Shubil falter.

No… impossible. If he were that high-born, I would know him.

He prided himself on recognizing the faces of high-ranking nobles from attending countless social gatherings. There was no way he would forget a man this tall, this intimidating. But whatever his rank was, Macaron’s mere presence was enough to make retreat the only option.

“It seems I made a mistake.”

Shubil knew better than anyone that when things looked uncertain, retreat was the wisest course. Still, his aristocratic pride wouldn’t let him back down without saving face.

“I’ll let this go for today, but next time, you’ll regret it.”

Macaron smiled lazily, his stare bearing down with unshakable pressure.

“If there even is a next time, then we’ll see.”

The sarcasm in his tone made Shubil scowl. But Macaron leaned in close enough to make Shubil shiver.

“You’d better not show yourself before my wife ever again. Not that you’ll even get the chance.”

Shubil faltered at the ominous words, then straightened, forcing composure. As Macaron strode past, he threw in one last jab.

“Pathetic. You should’ve cherished her when you had the chance.”

Shubil’s face flushed bright red like a beet. It was a ridiculous sight, but still, I couldn’t help feeling anxious.

What if Shubil says something outrageous? Is Macaron… furious right now?

It wouldn’t be strange if he was. Macaron didn’t like other men around me, let alone my ex-husband. If I reversed the roles, I’d feel the same—only a while ago, I myself couldn’t help feeling unsettled whenever I thought of his former wife.

Shubil stood frozen, pale, like a wooden doll that had lost its strings. Macaron soon broke away, took my hand firmly, and without another word, led me toward where the children were. Lord Momont was watching them, and Coral’s face had softened again. At Macaron’s signal, Kai and Coral followed Lord Momont away.

As the parade continued behind us, Shubil finally disappeared from sight.

I wanted to hide that shameful past… but strangely, now that it’s out, I feel lighter.

Maybe it was because of Macaron’s reaction. He hadn’t questioned me or demanded an explanation. He simply carried on with ordinary conversation, as if Shubil had already been erased from memory.

Before we knew it, night had deepened. Dazzling performers in glowing costumes filled the streets, and Kai and Coral were entranced by their first-ever parade. Summoning courage, I turned toward Macaron’s shadowed face.

“Thank you. For today.”

But from now on, I hoped he wouldn’t get so deeply involved in my matters. Today was proof enough. Macaron had long hidden his true identity, and I didn’t want my problems to drag him into danger. Who knew how Shubil would act next? It wasn’t really my concern—it was his, and that worried me.

“From now on, I’ll handle my own problems.”

It felt unkind to say it like that, so I tried to think of something to soften it. But before I could, he spoke first.

“Because I like you.”

At that exact moment, fireworks burst across the sky, showering sparks of color. Against that backdrop, his words sounded just like a confession.

“…What?”

“When you like someone, you want to take on everything for them. Especially the painful things. Even more so if it’s the one you love.”

I should’ve been the one upset, but instead, he was comforting me.

“By now… I do have that much right, don’t I?”

His words pierced straight into my heart, glowing like the fireworks overhead. His hand in mine was warm, and that warmth seeped all the way into my chest. The wind was pleasant, the air was just right, my heart was pounding—before I knew it, I leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Macaron froze, but then his expression melted, and he pulled me into him. In an instant, our bodies pressed together, lips locking, heat flowing between us as we kissed deeply. Just then, the sound of Kai and Coral calling for me rang out.

“Mom!”

They were getting close, just around the corner. I tried to pull away, but Macaron turned me into the shadows of an alley. We stayed hidden as Lord Momont and the children passed by. Afterward, only Macaron’s heavy breath filled the narrow space.

His crimson eyes glowed in the dark as he whispered with a mischievous smile:

“Whatever excuse you try… tonight, I won’t let you go.”

“…!”

He pulled me in again, hungrily, as if trying to sate a long-held desire. Sweet heat wrapped around me, his touch sending fire through my body. Gentle caresses turned to wild hunger, and I melted into him. When he finally broke away, our eyes met, and we both laughed with joy.

If only every day could be like this.

I silently prayed to the fleeting fireworks.

When we returned to the streets, Lord Momont grumbled about how long he had searched for us. Macaron feigned innocence, and though my face burned with embarrassment, I played along.

Kai and Coral were beaming, hands tightly clasped. Coral now wore a flower ring matching the one on Kai’s hand. She gazed at it with a shy smile. She had never shown her feelings so openly before…

Has something changed between them?

The children’s atmosphere was as unusual as ours.

“I’ll go buy ice cream.”

Coral’s eyes sparkled at the thought, while Macaron’s face turned red as if he would have to swallow a dozen tubs whole. He walked off, but quickly returned to me.

“Let’s switch masks, just in case.”

He was uneasy Shubil might recognize my mask and approach again. I doubted Shubil would come back, but better safe than sorry.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Macaron wearing my feathered mask, and he chuckled back. Then I wore his oversized mask, which looked ridiculous on my smaller face. Feeling playful, I teased:

“Just changing masks isn’t enough, is it?”

“…What?”

“I’m tempted by Your Highness’s cloak too.”

During masquerades, cosplay wasn’t unusual. Though Macaron hesitated, he finally gave in. Draped in his cloak, I looked like a caterpillar wrapped in a blanket, but he smiled warmly, saying it suited the chilly night.

“I’ll be right back.”

Turning elegantly, the towering man hidden in a tiny cloak walked away. I burst out laughing at the sight.

Soon he returned, smiling at me. Coral spotted him first and hopped like an excited rabbit, tugging Kai’s hand. But then Macaron’s steps quickened. His ice cream tumbled from his hands onto the ground. His gaze was fixed just beyond me.

A chill ran down my spine as I turned to look back.

“NO!!” Macaron shouted.